Friction draft gear



May 24,1932.

c. J. HOLLAND FRICTION DRAFT GEAR Filed March 6', 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l -May 24, 1932.

C. J.- HOLLAND FRICTION DRAFT GEAR Filed March 6, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 24, 1932.

c. J. HOLLAND FRICTION DRAFT GEAR 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 6, 1926 l I I l l I l l I I l Fl wmmgww MUN} l Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED v STATES cirnnsa. HOLLAND, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FRICTION DRAFT GEAR Application filed March 6, 1926.

The invention relates to draft gear. for railway cars.

The principal object of the invention, generally stated, is to provide a novel friction draft gear embodying a peculiar arrangement of springs and friction elements capable of taking up the shock during buff and also under draft. 7 1

An important object of the invention'is the provision of a draft gear including asystem of intercalated spring elements providing cushioning means, means being also provided for bringing these elements into frictional engagement. i I The object of the inventiominore specifically stated, is to provide a friction draft gear embodying a combination of intercalated leaf springs combined with cam or wedge means for forcing them intoengagement and prof. viding not only cushioning means or resilience but also frictional resistance to relative longitudinal movement under buff, other spring means being provided for effecting releaseof the intercalated spring elements when the bufling strain is relieve A still further object of the invention is to provide a friction draft means capable of being used in the standard size gear pocket so that it may replace ordinary or standard equipment without necessitating any material changes in the construction of the parts, the release spring being, however, located outwardly of the center-sills of the car in order that the intercalated spring members and wedge or cam compressing means there for may be accommodated within the draft gear pocket. 7

Another object of the invention is to provi de a friction draft gear adapted for use in connection with draft rigging including draft keys which are horizontally disposed and which are movably mounted along slots in the center sills and in cheek plates attached thereto, the travel of the keys being in accord with normal requirements or standards.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a gear of this type in which the parts are so arranged and combined as to permit free spring travel. for a certain distance to take care of small vibrationswhich occur in serial No, 92,849.

the draft gear in train movement, the inter calated spring plates being flexed slightly along with the compression of the springs during the first portion of the movement, the intercalated plates being, however, provided mainlyto give the frictional resistance and the other spring elements providing not only the release but also the means for taking up the first portion of the movement.

Generally speaking, the invention consists in the provision of a shock-absorbing device including the combination of a flexible intercalated plate friction resistance member, a force applying member, and means for transferring energy from the force applying member to the flexible friction resistance member. V

A still further object of the invention is to provide a draft gear embodying peculiarly mounted and arranged cam or wedge operated rocka-ble means cooperating with flexed intercalated spring plates for applying pres sure thereto under buff, the pressure tending not only tostraighten the flexed plates and consequently provide resilience but also create frictional resistance between the plates as they are moved relatively in a longitudinal direction. i

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be'hereinafter more fully de scribed and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a draft gear constructed in accordance with my invention, the parts being shown in normal or draft position, the intercalated flexed plates being in open position,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the position of the parts under buff, the intercalated spring plates'being shown in engagement and the other spring members being compressed,

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section gear taken on the line 33 of Figure 5 is a vertical section through the gear taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1 and illustrating the cam or wedge means cooperating with the flexed spring plates.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 1 designates the center sills of a car slotted in the usual manner and having secured thereto cheek plates 2 formed with elongated slots 3 for the accommodation of horizontally disposed spaced keys t, the cheek plates being represented as provided with front stops 5 and back stops 6 which may be formed integrally therewith or separately therefrom and attached thereto,

whichever is preferred. The cushioning mechanism between the center sills may be so formed as to readily cooperate with any one of the standard dimensions of gear pocket. Located within this pocket are forward and rear followers 7 and 8, the former of which is formed in opposite sides with slots 9 of greater length than the width of the front key and the latter of which may be formed with slots 10 of substantially the same length as the rear key, the reason for the difference being hereinafter explained.

Located within the confines of the followers are sets of intercalated spring plates 11 and 12, the sets being disposed at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line or axis of the gear and those in each set being flexed outwardly as clearly indicated in Figure 1. The springs 11 are formed with slots 13 for the passage of the forward key, the slots being of greater length than the key to permit a. certain amount of free movement thereof prior to the engagement of the follower with the spring 11. The springs 12 are slotted at 14 but the size of the slots is such that the usual key will be accommodated rather snugly to avoid lost motion. Each of the spring plates 11 and 12 is shown as having its end portions bent around or folded, the purpose being to provide a large bearing area between the spring elements and the force applying member, though it is of course conceivable that some alternative arrangement of an equivalent nature may be provided if found desirable for any reason.

Located outwardly of the intercalated spring plates are lateral pressure applying members 15 slotted at their rear ends as indicated at 16 for the accommodation of the rear key, the slots being of sufficient size to permit lateral swinging movement of these members with respect to the spring plates and center sills without danger of binding at any point or points. Thcsevmembers bear against the normally convex outer surfaces of the outermost spring plates 12 and the rear extremities may be formed with lateral extensions 17 fulcruming within curved recesses 18 at the inner corners of the rear follower 8. At their intermediate portions the members 15 may be reduced in thickness to lighten the structure and the forward ends are formed at their outer sides with rearwardly and outwardly curved surfaces 19 against which bear rollers 20 which, in turn, coact with oppositely arranged curved surfaces 21 on the inner sides of the rear portion of the front follower 7, the arrangement being such. that upon relative movement of the followers towards each other the pressure applying members 15 will be swung toward each other for applying pressure to the flexed spring plates 11 and 12, resulting in developing resilience and creating frictional resistance between the plates as they are moved relatively.

In addition to the intercalated flexed spring plates, I make use of other spring means which, on account of the lack of space within the draft gear pocket are located outwardly of the center sills. In the present instance I have shown abutment members 22 mounted. on the projecting outer ends of the keys as by means of substantially U-shaped collars 23 which embracingly engage the keys and which are secured as for instance by means of vertical pins 24 passing through alining holes in the collars and keys, any suitable means being provided for preventing displacement of the pins such, for instance, as by the simple expedient of pro viding the upper ends with lateral extensions 25. The abutment members 22 are provided centrally with extensions 26 which fit within the end portions of helical springs 27 about which are disposed, in encircling relation thereto, other helical springs 28 preferably considerably heavier and stronger than the first mentioned.

Of course the rigging of which the present gear forms a part includes the usual vertical yoke 29 and coupler 80, both of which ele ments are represented by dot and dashlincs instead of in detail inasmuch as they really form no part of the present invention.

Under normal circumstances the keys are of course separated to the widest possibleextent. Under either buff or draft there is of course a tendency for the followers to move relatively, resulting in corresponding movement of the keys which is permitted owing to the provision of the slots 3 in the check plates. Whenever the keys are moved toward each other, or one moved toward the other, the springs 27 and 28 Will be compressed and will provide resilience giving the proper cushioning effect. Owing to the elongation of the slots 13 in the flexed spring plates 11 there is a certain amount of movement of the front key possible without causing movement of the plates, the movement being, in actual practice, approximately onehalf inch to permit the usual vibration or slight movement incidental to train travel without affecting the position of the spring plates. When the movement becomes greater it isevident that the interfitting spring painted spring plates.

plates will slide together into telescoped relation as disclosed in Figure 2, the springs 27 and 28 being of course simultaneously compressed. As the front follower 7 moves rearwardly,under buffing strain or as the rear follower 8 moves forwardly under draft, there-is of course movement of the pressure applying members 15 with respect to the front follower and owing to the engagement of the curved surfaces 19 and 21 with the rollers 20 it is clear that the members 15 will be rocked or swung inwardly upon the extensions 17 as fulcrums, the result being the application of lateral pressure to the inter- This pressure acts against the natural flexure of the plates and produces a cushioning effect in addition to forcing the plates together for causing frictional resistance to the sliding or telescoping movement thereof. On the release, the first movement due to the pressure of the fric tion plates, or tendency thereof to flex, together with the expansive effect of the coil springs will be that the key'will move the follower or roller end back the distance provided for permitting free movement, in actual practice one-half inch as above explained, so .as to take up the preliminary spring travel. appreciable impetus, and still having pres sure against it, through the rollers from the flexed intercalated plates, will continue to travel back until it strikes the key, where-- upon the pressure against the spring plates will have been relieved to such an extent that the release springs 27 and 28 may then pull the intercalated plates apart by'means of the key. The release action is not identically the same under draft as under buff as in the latter instance it is merely necessaryto move the front follower, while in the former it is necessary to move the rear follower together with the interior mechanism of the gear.

A draft gear constructed in accordance with this invention will be highly satisfactory and advantageous inasmuch as it meets all of the requirements of present day service in point of certainty of operation and positive durability even under the most advtrse conditions. It is thought that the construc tion, operation and advantages will be read- 7 ily apparent. to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely illustrative as the right is reserved to make all such changes and modifications as will increase the adaptability or widen the field of utility of the structure, provided such variations constitute no "departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

This follower, then having received an 1. In a shock absorbing device, the combination of a flexible intercalated bowed plate friction resistance member, a force applying member, means located outwardly of the resistance member for transferring energy from the force applying member inwardly to the flexible friction resistance member, and means located outwardly of said resistance member for effecting release.

2. In a shock absorbing device, the combination of initially flexed intercalated late cushioning and friction resistance mem ers, means for applying force thereto longitudinally thereof, and rocker means operated by said means for applying lateral pressure, to the resistance member against flexure there of, and spring means opposing said force for effecting release.

3. In a shockabsorbing device, the combination of a'laterally flexible'member of.

intercalated normally flexed plate arrangement, means for applying. pressure thereto longitudinally thereof, means directly opposing the application of longitudinal pressure, and cam means acting toconvert the longitudinal pressure to lateral pressure inwardly against the'intercalated members for developing frictional resistance to longitudinal IHOVEIHGDttl'lGIQOf.

l. In a shock absorbing deviceynormally flexed intercalated cushioning and friction resistance means providing yielding resistance to lateral compression,means for applying longitudinal pressure' thereupon, means for opposing the longitudinal pressure applying me ans, and rocker means acted upon by the longitudinal pressure means for developing lateral pressure upon the first means and creating spring and frictional resistance.

'5. In a shock absorbing device, the-combination of flexed intercalated plate means, means acting longitudinally upon said plate means for sliding the same in interfitting relation, cam and rocker operated means actuated upon the application of longitudinal pressure for developing lateral pressure upon said first means and producing frictional resistance to sliding movement thereof, and spring means opposing sliding movement of the plate means and providing for release.

6. In a shock absorbing device. the combination of relatively movable members, sets of'intercalated flexed plate members located between said members, means for moving said members, and rockable elements fulcrumed at one of said first named members and bearing against opposite sides of said flexed plates and actuated by the other of said first named members for applying lateral pressure thereto (during closure and separate release means.

7. In a shock absorbing device, the combination of members movable toward each other, sets of inter-fitting flexed plates located betwecn said members and arranged in slidable relation, pressure applying members fulcrumed at one of said members and bearing against opposite sides of the sets of-plates, and cam means at the other of said first named members cooperating with said pressure applying me ibers for moving the same toward each other and bringing lateral pressure upon the plates as they move longitudinally and separate spring release means.

8. In a shock absorbing device, the combination of members movable toward each other, sets of inter-fittingflexed plates located between said members and arranged in slidable relation, pressure applying members fulcrumed at one of said members and bearings against opposite sides of the sets of plates, cam m ans at the other of said first named members cooperating with said pressure applying members for moving the same towart each other and bringing lateral pressure upon the plates as they move longitudinally, and combined cushioning and release springs opposing movement of said first named mem bers toward each other. I

9. In a railway draft gear, forward and rear followers, sets of intercalated flexed spring plates arranged between said followers, keys carried by the followersand engaging said spring plates, spring means interposed between the keys, and pressure applying members located at opposite sides of the spring plates and operatively connected with one follower to be moved laterally thereby into compressing and friction producing engagement with said spring plates.

10. In a railway car draft gear, the car having center sills carrying front and back stops, forward and rear followers located between the sills and stops, intercalated flexed spring plates located between the followers, draft keys engaging the followers and passing through and beyond the center sills, means between the sills operatively engaged by a follower for applying lateral pressure to the spring plates during longitud nal. movement thereof. and cushioning means located between the keys outwardlyof said sills.

11. In a draft gear for railway cars having center sills equipped with front and back stops, the combination with a yoke and conpler, of front and rear followers between the stops, intercalated flexed spring plates located between the followers and arranged in slidable relation, draft keys passing through the-followers and spring plates, cushioning means engaging the keys, and pressure applying means located between the sills and cooperating with the followers to apply pressure laterally upon the spring plates.

12. In a draft gear for railway cars having center sills equipped with front and back stops, the combination with a yoke and conpler, of front and rear followers between the stops, intercalated flexed spring plates located between the followers and arranged in slidable relation, draft keys passing through the followers and spring plates, cushioning means engaging the keys, pressure applying means located between the sills and cooperating with the followers to apply pressure laterally upon the spring plates, and means for permitting limited free movement of one follower with. respect to the spring plates.

13. In a draft gear for railway cars having center sills equipped with front and back stops, the combination with a yoke and coupler, of front and rear followers between the stops, intercalated flexed spring plates located between the followers and arranged in slidable relation, draft keys passing through the followers and spring plates, cushioning means engaging the keys, and pressure applyin means located between the sills and cooperating with the followers to apply pressure laterallyupon the spring plates, the f ont follower and adjacent ends of the flexed plates being slotted for the accommodation of the forward key, the slots being of a length permitting limited free movement of the front follower with respect to the spring plates.

14. In a draft gear for railway cars, front and rear followers, cushioning means opposing movement thereof, intercalated flexed spring plates located between the followers, means engaging one follower and the adjacent ends of the spring plates for insuring simultaneous longitudinal movement thereof, and means engaging the other follower and adapted to engage the adjacent spring plates subsequent to limited movement, and means cooperating with the followers for applying lateral pressure to the spring plates during closure thereof as the result of relative longitudinal movement.

15. In a draft gear for railway cars, front and rear followers, cushioning means opposing movement thereof, intercalated flexed spring plates located between the followers, means engaging one follower and the adjacent ends of the spring plates for insuring simultaneous longitudinal movement thereof, means engaging the other follower and adapted to engage the adjacent spring plates subsequent to limited movement, means cooperating with the followers for applying lateral pressure to the spring plates during closure thereof as the result of relative longitudinal movement, said means including rockable arms engaging the spring plates and having cam surfaces, cam surfaces on one follower, and rollers between the cam surfaces.

16. In a shock absorbing device, the combination of flexed intercalated friction plates arranged in slidable relation, rocker means for applying pressure laterally upon said friction plates, means for initially moving said rocker means alone inwardly and then addition ally moving the same simultaneously calated friction plates arranged in slidable relation, means mounted for rocking movement outwardly of and engaging against the opposite sides of said sets of friction plates for applying pressure thereto, and cam means engaglng said means for moving the same into compressive relation with the friction plates, and release spring rocking means.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CYRUS Jc HOLLAND. 

